There is a theorem that says that, two tangent lines onto a circle that start from the same point are equal. For example, if we were to label the polygon ABCD, the tangent lines going from point A are equal, the lines going from point B are equal, etc.
Since we now know this rule, we can see that, for each point of the polygon you are given 1 out of 2 tangent lines for that point. Using this theorem, we can say that the other tangent line is equal to the first.
So, the bottom two tangents are 98 and 98, the right-side are both 22 and 22, the top are both 27 and 27, and the left are 22 and 22. We need to find the perimeter, or the sum of all the sides of the polygon. Seeing as the sides of the polygon are formed by all the tangent lines, we just have to find the sum of all the tangent lines.
98 + 98 + 22 + 22 + 27 + 27 + 22 + 22 =
= 196 + 88 + 54 (or 2*98 + 4*22 + 2+27) =
= 338 inches
I hope this wasnt too confusing.
You are trying to find an x-value for which f(x) = g(x). At first your choice of x is arbitrary. In the given table, the first x-value tried was 0 (zero). For this value of x, f(x) does NOT equal g(x).
Next x was 1. f(x) and g(x) are even further apart here. So reject 1 and try 2 instead. Notice how f(x) and g(x) are closer together now than they were for x=1.
Note that for x=2.5, f(x) and g(x) are even closer together; ony 0.75 separates them.
Your turn. Try x=2.4, x=2.3, and so on. You may have to go in the other direction: Try x=2.6, x=2.7, and so on. If f(x) and g(x) are getting closer to one another, you're going in the right direction; if further apart, you're going in the wrong direction.
Have fun. This really is an interesting problem.
The answer is: 10
Hope this helps! (:
